The Wolf of Wall Street – what a crock of crap! Jordan Belfort is an opportunist who with great hubris promotes himself and the glamor of greed vs sharing the real truth behind the myth he portrays.
A great article was written by SOO YOUN, The Hollywood Reporter – entitled: The Real Wolf of Wall Street Spoke in LA And It Was So Cringeworthy People Wanted Their Money Back.
Youn’s article states in part:
“My dad f—— hated salespeople. Salesman equals slime and bucket,” Jordan Belfort says as he strides across the stage. “The truth is: Selling is everything in life. You’re selling or you’re failing.”
That’s Jordan Belfort, aka the “Wolf of Wall Street” played byLeonardo DiCaprio in the Martin Scorsese film of the same name. The movie grossed more the $390 million worldwide and was nominated for five Academy Awards. The Wolf of Wall Street motivational speech cost me $89 and was aggressively promoted on discount site Groupon (50% off!).
The world is divided between ducks and eagles, per Belfort. “The ‘duck,'” — he spits the word in his Long Island accent —”has a story, their bullshit story. They quack like a duck. Why can’t they have what they want? Their story stops them from getting what they want. They have what I call an ‘impossibility option.'”
Now eagles — eagles are different. “Eagles soar above the crowd,” Belfort says, before delivering his truth. “One thing I can promise you: There’s not a single duck in this room. You know why? Ducks don’t come to things like this.”
Sorry, but this sounds just like the movie – which was a waste of time.
Now I have to admit, having spent some time in federal prison for unethical and illegal choices, I am not saying that I’m above Jordan Belfort – as I, too, am a convicted felon. But there is a vast difference between someone that knows the pain that illegal choices cause and takes steps to correct them and one’s own personal behavior and someone who tries to fly on the wings of greed to regain fame.
Frank Abagnale Jr. screwed up and paid the price. A movie was made about him as well. And like the Wolf of Wall Street – Catch Me If You Can was a huge success. But contrast the men and you’ll find a world of difference. Abagnale has turned his incredible skills to use helping law enforcement catch criminals. Yes he speaks and yes he’s paid well, but Abagnale doesn’t let his hubris and self grandiosity get in the way of a powerful message.
Jordan Belfort is no eagle!